MURRAY HURRY

ANDY MURRAY will play through the pain barrier to defend his Wimbledon title after limping through a double training session. But fellow British No.1 Jo Konta is a big doubt after pulling out of the Aegon International with a spine injury. And asked if he will play, the Olympic champion (left) said: “I hope so, that is the plan.” He was favouring his sore hip in a session with Steve Darcis and coach Jamie Delgado shouted to the Belgian: “Go easy down the lines.” He

later practised with Scot Aidan Mchugh, 16, then said: “The session was good. I’m OK.” But bookies are now offering better odds on the defending champion losing in the first week – 4-1 – than retaining his title as he has drifted out to 5-1. Murray did get better news with a favourable draw where he faces world No.134 and lucky loser Alexander Bublik on Monday. The last time he played a lucky loser was in his first match at the Aegon Championship last week – and he lost to world No.93 Jordan Thompson. Favourite Roger Federer is on the other side of the draw. Qualifier and world No.855 Alex Ward plays British No.2 Kyle Edmund. Konta fell heavily while beating world No.1 Angelique Kerber in Eastbourne on Thursday evening – and she admitted her hopes hinge on how her back responds to a day of rest after withdrawing from her semi-final. The Wimbledon No.6 seed said: “I’m still quite sore through my thoracic spine and I’m just resting for the next 24 hours.”